Avel Louise Gordly is an activist, community organizer, and former politician in the U.S. state of Oregon, who in 1996 became the first African-American woman to be elected to the Oregon State Senate. She served in the Senate from 1997 to 2009. Wikipedia
Born: 1947 (age 77 years), Portland, OR
Education: Portland State University
Previous offices: Oregon State Senator (1997–2009) and Oregon State Representative (1991–1996)